Method and apparatus for inferring a temperature

ABSTRACT

A heat-conducting element having known length D is disposed at a first end in a first region having a first temperature T 1  to be inferred. The second end of the element is disposed in a second region having a measureable second temperature T 2  different from the first temperature. The element is well-insulated between the first and second regions. Heat flows along the element from the higher temperature region to the lower temperature region, and the temperature of the element at any point along the element is proportional to the temperature difference between the two regions and the distance from either one of the regions. By measuring the second temperature and also a third temperature T 3  at a point along the element, and knowing accurately the position D n  of that point with respect to the first and second ends of the element, the first temperature can be inferred by proportionality.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to measurement of temperatures; more particularly, to devices for determining temperatures remotely; and most particularly, to method and apparatus for inferring an elevated temperature from the differential between two lower measured temperatures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In devices which operate at elevated internal temperatures, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a hydrocarbon catalytic fuel reformer operating at, for example, 900° C., it can be important for monitoring and control purposes to determine continuously the internal temperature. In the prior art, thermocouple devices typically are used to measure such elevated temperatures. However, thermocouples are known to have low signal output and to be significantly non-linear in their response, requiring special conditioning of the signal for meaningful measurement. Further, the signal is vulnerable to electrical noise in practical applications. Also in the prior art, thermistors or resistance temperature devices (RTDs) are known to be operationally superior to thermocouples, but the problem with these devices is that they typically are limited to temperatures of less than about 300° C.

[0003] What is needed is an improved apparatus, having substantially linear response, and method for determining accurately any temperature within a range of temperatures, especially temperatures elevated beyond the range of measurement for thermistors and RTDs.

[0004] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for determining elevated temperatures.

[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide such apparatus and method wherein such elevated temperature is characteristic of a region not readily accessible to prior art temperature measuring means.

[0006] It is a still further object of the invention to provide such apparatus and method which can reliably provide continuous determination of the internal temperature of a fuel cell or hydrocarbon reformer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Briefly described, a heat-conducting element, such as a metal rod, is disposed at a first end in a first region having a first temperature to be determined by the method of the invention. The second end of the element is disposed in a second region having a second temperature different from the first temperature, the second temperature being measurable by known means. The element is well-insulated between the first and second regions. Heat flows along the element from the higher temperature region to the lower temperature region, and the temperature of the element at any point along the element is proportional to the temperature difference between the two regions. Therefore, by measuring the second temperature and also a third temperature at a point along the element, and knowing accurately the position of that point with respect to the first and second ends of the element, the first temperature can be inferred by proportionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a temperature determining apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

[0010]FIG. 2 is a graph showing variation in the third temperature as a function of variation in the first temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a temperature measuring system 10 in accordance with the invention is provided for determining by inference a temperature T₁ in a first thermal region 16 of a device 18, such as, for example, fuel cell 17 or fuel reformer 19. System 10 includes a thermally-conductive element 12, for example, a rod formed of a suitable metal such as stainless steel and having a constant cross-sectional area. Element 12 has a first end 14 disposed in region 16 of device 18, such as within a reforming chamber of a hydrocarbon fuel reformer or an SOFC, and a second end 20 disposed in a second thermal region 22, such as within an automotive cooling system 23. A first temperature measuring device 24, for example, a thermistor or RTD, is attached to element 12 in region 22 at a known distance D from region 16 for measuring the actual temperature T₂ of element 12 in region 22. In a currently preferred application, first temperature T₁ of region 16 is higher than second temperature T₂ of region 22, although the reverse condition is contemplated within the scope of the invention. Element 12 is thermally insulated uniformly along its entire length by insulative cover 26 between regions 16 and 22 to prevent heat loss from the surface of element 12 as heat flows along the element between region 16 and region 22.

[0012] At a point 28 designated D_(n) along element 12 between first and second ends 14,20, a second temperature measuring device 30, for example, a thermistor or RTD, is attached to element 12 for measuring a third temperature T₃ at that point, D_(n) being a known fractional distance of distance D.

[0013] In accordance with Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, heat flow in a conducting element is directly and linearly proportional to the temperature gradient:

q=kA(dt/dx)  (Eq. 1)

[0014] wherein q is heat flow, k is a proportionality constant, A is the cross-sectional area of an element, and dt/dx is the temperature gradient along the element. Since the temperature gradient is linear, dt/dx for element 12 may be determined by substituting T₂, T₃, and D_(n):

dt/dx=(T ₃ −T ₂)/D _(n)  (Eq. 2)

[0015] Since gradient dt/dx is constant over length D, as are constants k and A, then

(T ₃ −T ₂)/D _(n)=(T ₁ −T ₂)/D  (Eq. 3)

[0016] which may be rearranged to solve for T₁, the temperature within region 16:

T _(i)=[(D/D _(n))(T ₃ −T ₂)]+T ₂  (Eq. 4)

[0017] Thus, a method in accordance with the invention for determining by inference a first temperature T₁ in a first region includes the steps of:

[0018] a) providing an insulated thermally-conductive element having a known length D and extending into the first region such that an exposed first end of the element is at first temperature T₁;

[0019] b) extending the conductive element from the first region into a second region having a second temperature T₂ such that an exposed second end of the element is at second temperature T₂;

[0020] c) determining second temperature T₂;

[0021] d) determining a third temperature T₃ at a known distance D_(n) along the element from the second region; and

[0022] e) calculating first temperature T₁ from the relationship

T ₁=[(D/D _(n))(T ₃ −T ₂)]+T _(2.)

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, for an element 12 arranged in accordance with FIG. 1 (with T₂ held constant), curve 32 shows resulting values of T₃ as a function of actual imposed values of T₁. Curve 34 represents an ideal linear relationship in accordance with Eqs. 1 through 4. Deviations from linearity in curve 30 represent imperfections in the test installation. In practice, however, any such non-linearities may be dealt with readily by calibration in known fashion. For example, curve 32 may be represented by the polynomial expression

T ₃=4E-07T ₁ ³−0.0004T ₁ ²+0.2564T ₁+11.857  (Eq. 5)

[0024] It is seen that the second and third order terms are essentially insignificant and that linear expression provides an excellent approximation of temperature T₁ over a wide range of temperatures. Of course, accuracy is improved as D_(n) becomes a larger percentage of D; however, one purpose of the invention is to be able to accurately infer temperatures near 1000° C. from temperature measurements which can be made below 300° C. by inexpensive, reliable low-temperature devices such as thermistors and RTDs.

[0025] Further, in actual use wherein T₁ is the dependent variable, the axes would be reversed, and x-axis values of T₃ would be used to predict y-axis values of T₁.

[0026] While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for inferring a first temperature in a first thermal region, comprising: a) a thermally-conductive element having first and second ends, said first end being disposed in said first thermal region and said second end being disposed in a second thermal region having a second temperature, said element having a known length between said first and second regions; b) an insulative covering disposed around said element between said first and second thermal regions; c) first temperature measuring means disposed on said second end for determing said second temperature; and d) second temperature measuring means disposed on said element at a known distance point from said second thermal region for determining a third temperature of said element at said point, whereby a thermal gradient in said element may be established using said second and third measured temperatures and said distance between said second thermal region and said third measurement point, and whereby said first temperature may be inferred by extending said established thermal gradient over said known length between said first and second regions.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first thermal region is disposed within a hydrocarbon reformer.
 3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first thermal region is disposed within a fuel cell.
 4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second thermal region is disposed within an automotive coolant system.
 5. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first temperature is higher than said second temperature.
 6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first temperature is higher than 700° C. and said second and third temperatures are below 300° C.
 7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second temperature measuring means are selected from the group consisting of thermistors and RTDs.
 8. A method for determining by inference a first temperature T₁ in a first thermal region, comprising the steps of: a) providing an insulated thermally-conductive element having a known length D and extending said element into said first thermal region such that an exposed first end of said element is at said first temperature T₁ to be inferred; b) extending said conductive element from said first thermal region into a second region having a second temperature T₂ such that an exposed second end of said element is at said second temperature T₂; c) determining said second temperature T₂; d) determining a third temperature T₃ at a known distance D_(n) along said element from said second region; and e) calculating said first temperature T₁ from the relationship T ₁=[(D/D _(n))(T ₃ −T ₂)]+T _(2.) 